Teesta will become economic hub of northern BD Shafique
Staff Reporter :
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said, “Teesta is meant to be our blessing and pride. But right now, we face much sorrow over this Teesta. We promise that we will give new life to Teesta. It will no longer be a desert. Teesta will become the economic hub of northern Bangladesh.”
He added, “The water here will make the entire northern region fertile. Thousands of families will no longer be left destitute every year due to river erosion. We promise that, at any cost, we will implement the Teesta plan, Insha’Allah.”
He made these remarks on Wednesday (4 February) at a massive election rally held at the helipad field of Teesta Barrage, jointly organized by the Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat district branches of Jamaat-e-Islami.
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said, “We will implement the Teesta plan because my country comes first, and the interests of the people come first. We will not harm anyone’s interests, but we will not tolerate anyone harming our interests first.
There are many legitimate demands now, including the modernization of the Burimari land port. Development in Bangladesh will start from the banks of Teesta, Insha’Allah. For generations, the people of this region have been deprived.
Some come like the spring cuckoo, appearing just once. We are not like the spring cuckoo; we are here in times of sorrow and in times of joy. We do not abandon the country in times of crisis; we hold the land firmly. We seek shelter in the hearts of the people of this country.”
He said, “Those who have betrayed the nation for a long time will receive a red card in the upcoming election. Politics is not a business, nor is it extortion; it is the policy of a ruler. On the 13th, a new sun will rise in the eastern sky of Bangladesh. We want to build a new Bangladesh together with everyone.”
He further said, “Now it is time for a change of guard. You rest, give us the opportunity. We will never abandon the people of this country. We have declared that we will make northern Bangladesh the agricultural capital of the country. When employment is created here, the whole country will advance.
The crops produced in this region will not only meet national demand but will also be exported abroad. If Allah grants us the opportunity to serve this country, and if we can find a place in your hearts, we want to build a new Bangladesh together with everyone in the country. We will move forward including people of all religions and races.”
Addressing women, the Jamaat Amir said, “Currently, mothers and sisters are being harassed. We declare that if necessary, we will give our lives, but we will not allow anyone to take away the honor of our mothers and sisters. The nine million women of this country are our mothers, and we regard them with respect.
They will be educated and will take responsibility for building the country. They will work in employment, Insha’Allah. They will be present everywhere and work safely and with dignity. We will ensure education for women, Insha’Allah.”
Regarding the referendum, he said, “We have two votes: one is the referendum, and the other is the ballot. A ‘Yes’ vote in the referendum means freedom, while a ‘No’ means slavery.
On 12th, we will all cast our first vote in the referendum as ‘Yes,’ Insha’Allah. We will encourage everyone to vote ‘Yes.’ Previously, one party campaigned for ‘No’ in the referendum, but seeing that the ‘No’ vote would lose, they are now urging people to vote ‘Yes.’ We still congratulate them for this.”
At the event, the Jamaat Amir handed over the ballot symbol to the candidates of Jamaat for Nilphamari-1, Maulana Abdus Sattar; Nilphamari-2, Advocate Alfaruq Abdul Latif; Nilphamari-3, Maulana Obaidullah Salafi; Nilphamari-4, Hafez Mohammad Abdul Muntakim; Lalmonirhat-1, Md. Anwarul Islam Raju; Lalmonirhat-2, Advocate Firoz Haider Lawlu; and Lalmonirhat-3, Advocate Abu Taher.
The election rally was presided over by Lalmonirhat district Jamaat Amir, Advocate Abu Taher, and conducted by Nilphamari district Jamaat Secretary Maulana Antazul Islam. Special guests included Jamaat’s central assistant secretary Maulana Abdul Halim, Rangpur-Dinajpur region assistant director Maulana Momtaz Uddin, team member Abdur Rashid, Nilphamari district Jamaat Amir Maulana Abdus Sattar, and leaders of the 11-party alliance from Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat districts.